Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Tourist (2010) [PG-13] ***-

Elise Clifton-Ward (Angelina Jolie) waits in Paris to receive a message from Alexander Pearce, her mysterious lover, who has stolen a large sum of money from a British gangster named Shaw (Steven Berkoff). Shaw, who surrounds himself with a gang of brutish, sinister Russians, wants his money back, and both Interpol and a Scotland Yard inspector (Paul Bettany) want Pearce.Leaving Paris on a train bound for Venice, Elise picks up Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp), an American math teacher on vacation. She hopes to convince both the police and Shaw that he is Alexander Pearce, thus taking the heat off the real Pearce. Arriving in Venice, Elise continues the deception, but when the gangster's goons begin shooting at Frank, he figures out what is going on.As an action-romance-thriller, The Tourist leaves a great deal to be desired. There's lovely scenery of Paris and Venice, as well as beautiful costumes and sets. Beyond that we're treated to a mumbling, unappealing, uncharismatic Johnny Depp with bad hair, Angelina Jolie sleepwalking through her role, and zero chemistry between the two of them. The film has gruesome dramatic moments (a strangulation), as well as comedic moments (Johnny Depp running across rooftops in his pajamas), so we aren't sure if we're watching a drama or a comedy. If you are expecting Mr. and Mrs. Smith or Knight & Day you will be sorely disappointed. After having spent ninety minutes watching this, I came away feeling as though I had been the victim of a huge practical joke. Labels: action, drama, romance, thriller Internet Movie DatabaseMetacritic 37/100RottenTomatoes Averages (critcs=43, viewers=60)Blu-ray1Blu-ray2